Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-01-07

staircase, after which he turns aside,
and, as though filled with guilty fear,
rushes through one passage or another,
until he arrives in the corridor that be-
longs to the servants quarters.
Coming to certain door, he opens
1t, not without some difficulty, and,
moving into the dark landing that lies
beyond it, looks around. To any casu-
al observer it might seem strange that
some of the cobwebs in this apparent
ly long-forgotten place have lately been
brushed away, as by figure ascending
or descending the gloomy staircase.
To Arthur these signs bring no sur
prise, which proves that he, perhaps,
has the best right to know whose figure
brushed them aside.
Hurrying up the stairs, after closing
the door carefully and noiselessly be-
hind him, he reaches, after conSldera-
bic mountings of what seem to be in
terminable steps, the upper door he
had opened on the day they had visited
the haunted chamber, when RingWood
and he had had passage-at-arms
about his curiosity.
Now he stands breathing heavily
outside this door, wrapped in the dis
NAL darkness Of the staircase, listen
ing intently, rs 1t were, for the coming
of a footstcp.
In the meantime, Sir Adrian, not
dissuaded from his determination to
search the tower for the missing ban
gle, runs gayly up the grand staircase,
traverses the corridors and galleries,
and finally comes to the first Of the
iron-bound doors. Opening it, he
stands upon the landing that leads to
the other door by means of the small
stone staircase. Here he pauses.
10 ~ cofna uaoIra GhadINuy capGo of
danger that makes him stand now as
though hesitating? A quick SILVER
runs through his veins.
How cold it is" he says to himself,
-even on this hot day, up in this melan-
eholy place." Yet, he is quite uncon-
scious of the ears that are listening for
his lightest movement, Of the wicked
eyes that are watching him through a
ohink in the opposite door!
Now he steps forward again, and,
mounting the last flight of stairs, opens
the fatal door and looks into the room.
Even now it occurs to him how UNI
pleasant might be the consequences
should the door close and the secret
Jock fasten him in against his will. lie
pushes the door well open, and holds it
so, and then tries whether it can fall
to again OF Its own accord, and so make
prisoner of him.
No; it stands quite open, immovable
apparently, and so, convinced that he
is safe enough, he commences his
search. Then, swift as lightning, a
form darts from its concealed position,
rushes up to the stone staircase,
stealthiIy creeping still nearer, Chances
into the room.
Sir Adrians back is turned; he is
STOPPING, looking i'll every corner for
the missing prize, He sees nothing,
hears nothing, though treacherous
form crouching on the threshold is
making ready to seal his doom.
Arthur DynecOuTt, putting forth his
hand, which neither trcmblcs nor fall
ters on its deadly mission, silently lays
hold Of the door, and drawing it to-
ward him the secret lock clicks sharp
ly, and separates the victim from the
worldi
Stealthily even ncw-his evil deed
accomplished DyNecourt re-
treats down the stairs, and never in
deed relaxes his speed until ut length
he stands painting, but relentless, i'll the
servants corridor again.
RemOrse he knows not. But a GER
tain & lse Of fear holds him irresolute,
max ng his limbs trembc and bringing
out cold dews upon his brow. His
rival il safely secured, out of all
harms way as far rs he is concerned.
No human being saw him 20 to the i'll
fated tower; no human voice heard
him declare his intention Of searching
it for the missing trinkct. lIC-Arthur
had been careful before parting from
him TO express his settled belief that
Sir Adrian would not go to the haunt
ed chamber, and therefore he feels pre-
pared to defend his case successfully,
even should the barOnet be lucky
enough To find Il delivcrcr.
Yet he Is not quite easy in his mind.
Fear of discovery, fear of Sir Adrian's
displeasure, fear Of the world, fear of
the rope that already seems to dangle
in red lines before his eyes render him
the veriest coward that walks the
earth. Shall he return and release his
prisoner, and treat the whole thing rs a
Joke, and so leave Adrian free to dis
pense his bounty at the castle, to en-
terrain in his lavish fashion, to secure
tho woman upon whom he-Arthur-
has set his heart for bis BRIDE
No; n thousand times no, A few
short days, and all viii belong to Ar
thur Dynccourt. lie will be Sir Ar
thur" then, and the bride he covcts
will be unable to resist the temptation
Of title, and the chance of being mis-
tress OF the stately old pile that will
call him master. Let Sir Adrian die
then In his distant garnet alone, des-
pairing, undiscoycrahlei For who
would think Of going to the haunted
room In search of him? Who VIII even
guess that any mission, however inn
portant, would lead him to it, without
having mentioned it to some one? 1t il
grewsome spot, seldom visited and
gladly forgotten; and, indeed, what
possibly could there he in its bare walls
and It's bloodstained floors To attract
any onep No; surely it is the last place
to suspect any one would go to without
definite purpose; and what purpose
could Sir Adrian have of going there?
So far Arthur feels himself safe lie
turns away, and joins the women and
the returned sporstmen M the upper
drawing-room.
Where is DynecourtP' asks some
body later. Arthur, though he hears
the question, does not even change
color, but calmly, with 4 steady hand,
gives Florence her tea.
Yes; where is Sir Adrian2' asks
Mrs, Talbot, glancing up ut the speaker.
"lie left us about an hour ago" Capt.
Rlngwood answers. "fle said he'd ISe-
fer walking home, and -hc shoycled his
birds into our cart, and left rs without
another word. He'll turn W presently,
no doubt"
Dear me, hope nothing has hap
pened to himl" says Ethel Nillicrs,
who Is sitting in window through
which tho rays of the evening sun are
stealing, turning her auburn locks TO
threads of rich red gold
Il hope not, I'm sure" iuterposcs
Arthur, quite feelingly. 1T does seem
odd he hasn't come in before this"
Then, true To his determination to SO
arrange matters that, if discovery en-
sues upon his scheme. he may still find
for himself path out of his difficulties,
he says quietly, Il met him about
mile from home, and walked here with
him. We parted at the hall-door; dare
say he is in the library or the stables
-Good gracious, why didn't you say
SO beforer" eNclaims old Lady FitZAl-
mont in n querulous tone" quite be-
gan to believe the poor boy had blown
out his brains through disappointed
love, or something equally objection
able"
Both Dora and Florence color warm
" ut this. The old lady herself is free
to speak rs she thinks of Sir Adrian,
having no designs upon him for Lady
Gertrude, that young lady being en-
gagged to very distinguished and tit
led botanist, now hunting for ferns in
the West Indies.
Markham says Mrs. Talbot to a
footnan who enters at this moment,
go to the library and tell Sir Adrian
his tea is waiting for him.
es. ma am"
But presently Markham returns and